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Even as the Michael and Ryan era in U.S. swimming is drawing to a close, another is beginning.

Fifteen-year-olds Michael Andrew and Ryan Hoffer are leading a new wave of age-group record smashers into the senior level to eventually replace their role models Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte.

The two generations overlapped at the Arena Grand Prix in Mesa, where 22-time Olympic medalist Phelps swam for the first time since the 2012 London Olympics.

"It's been one of my dreams to compete with him," said Andrew, who missed out when he was 13 and didn't make the field in time for a Grand Prix in Minneapolis that included Phelps. "There was a little bit of nerves, but it was I can't wait to compete."

Phelps, 28, and Andrew, who turned professional last summer when he was 14, were seeded next to each other in the 50-meter freestyle but wound up in different heats. So the competition actually became between three-time South African Olympian Darian Townsend, 29, and Andrew, whose parents are native South Africans.

Andrew not only beat Townsend in the 50 freestyle preliminaries Friday but edged him again by .01 seconds in the B final, a sure sign that change in the sport is coming.

"Obviously the kid is a talented swimmer," said Phelps, who qualified for his first Olympics at age 15. "He's broken countless national records. The kid's massive. I'm excited to see how he can transition into long course. I'd like to watch him swim and race a little bit more."

The 6-4 Andrew trains out of Lawrence, Kan., and is coached by his father Peter using an ultra short race-pace training program devised by Dr. Brent Rushall.

"Everything we do is race specific," Andrew said. "I prefer long course (meters) because I know it's the international (distance)."

Andrew turned 15 on April 18 — "It feel like I was 14 forever," he said — and now again is in the same age group of Hoffer, who turns 16 in July. They are 1-2 all-time in the 50- and 100-yard freesytle in the U.S. 13-14 age group and Andrew certainly now will try to displace Hoffer from top place in those events in the 15-16 group.

Hoffer is a freshman at Scottsdale Chaparral High and trains with Kevin Zacher at Scottsdale Aquatic Club.

"I guess it's kind of a rivalry (with Andrew), but it's friendly," Hoffer said. "Out of the pool we talk all the time and we're cool."

If both pan out at the international level, their careers could become as seared into the public's mind as those of Phelps and Lochte, who have grown to understand how their competitiveness is mutually beneficial.

Andrew's major short-term goal is to swim at the Youth Olympics, Aug. 16-28 in Nanjing, China. Hoffer is hoping for a trip to Maui for the Junior Pan Pacific Championships, Aug. 27-31. Both are dreaming big that their first Olympics would be Rio 2016.

"All the Olympians motivate me," Hoffer said. "You look at Phelps and say wow. His energy radiates off like that guy is fast, I want to go fast."

Andrew can see the future, much like Phelps and Lochte did more than a decade ago. "There comes a time where the older swimmers are going to end up retiring then we as a new generation have to come up and make it stronger," he said. "I'm excited to be part of it."

Soreness forces Lochte to scratch from 2 finals

Townsend of Phoenix was the only Arizona connected swimmer to win Saturday, repeating as 200 individual medley champion, one of two finals that Lochte scratched from due to leg soreness on a chilly, windy night.

Lochte also dropped from the 100 backstroke, which Arkady Vyatchanin won by a tenth of a second over 2012 Olympic champion Matt Grevers of Tucson.

Katie Ledecky won her third title in the 800 freestyle and her sixth title here in two years. Damir Dugonjic edged University of Arizona NCAA champion Kevin Cordes in the 100 breaststroke. Alia Atkinson won her second breaststroke title, taking the 100 over Micah Lawrence and defending champion Breeja Larson of Mesa. Katie Hoff, in her comeback to the sport, won the 200 IM over Caitlin Leverenz of Tucson.

Fantastic fifteens

How 15-year-olds Michael Andrew of Lawrence, Kan., and Ryan Hoffer of Scottsdale fared at the Arena Grand Prix in Mesa.

Jeserik Pinto dives into the water during the Women's 100 Meter Backstroke Prelims at the Arena Grand Prix on Saturday, April 26, 2014 at Skyline Aquatic Center in Mesa. Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports

Ryan Lochte breaks through the water as he makes his turn in the Men's 200 Meter Backstrokes Prelims at the Arena Grand Prix on Friday, April 25, 2014 at Skyline Aquatic Center in Mesa. Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports

Michael Phelps smiles at his press conference after swimming in the Men's 50 Meter Freestyle Prelims at the Arena Grand Prix on Friday, April 25, 2014 at Skyline Aquatic Center in Mesa. During this race Michael Phelps chose to swim a butterfly stroke, he do not make the finals. Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports

Michael Phelps dives into the pool during the Men's 50 Meter Freestyle Prelims at the Arena Grand Prix on Friday, April 25, 2014 at Skyline Aquatic Center in Mesa. During this race Michael Phelps choose to swim a butterfly stroke. Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports

Michael Phelps finished second to Ryan Lochte (right) during the Men's 100 Meter Butterfly Final at the Arena Grand Prix on Thursday, April 24, 2014 at Skyline Aquatic Center in Mesa. Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports

Michael Phelps reacts after qualifying fastest in his heat at 52.84 seconds in the 100 Butterfly Prelims at the Arena Grand Prix on Thursday, April 24, 2014 at Skyline Aquatic Center in Mesa. Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports

Michael Phelps talks to the media after his first offical practice session for the Arena Grand Prix swim meet on Wednesday, April 23, 2014 at Skyline Aquatic Center in Mesa. Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports

Michael Phelps talks to the media after his first offical practice session for the Arena Grand Prix swim meet on Wednesday, April 23, 2014 at Skyline Aquatic Center in Mesa. Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports

Michael Phelps checks his pulse between laps as he returns to the pool for an offical practice session for the Arena Grand Prix swim meet on Wednesday, April 23, 2014 at Skyline Aquatic Center in Mesa. Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports

Michael Phelps laughs while talking with coaches during a training session Wednesday, April 23, 2014, in Mesa as he prepares to compete for the first time since retiring after the 2012 London Games. The 22-time Olympic medalist is entered in three events at the Arena Grand Prix starting Thursday. Matt York/AP

Michael Phelps talks with his coaches during practice, Wednesday, April 23, 2014, in Mesa. The 22-time Olympic medalist is entered in three events at the Arena Grand Prix starting Thursday. Matt York/AP